Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains. Whether due to pure luck or a brilliant stroke of Germanic planning, the city is situated in almost the geographical centre of Namibia. This location has obvious benefits when it comes to governing a country the size of Namibia, and also makes it the ideal place to start and plan any Namibian travel.

Windhoek is home to approximately two hundred thousand people, an extremely small capital by global standards. This number is growing rapidly at present mostly due to a lack of employment in rural areas. Despite the large increase in population over the last few years the city centre is extremely clean, and mostly trouble free. Most tourists comment on the cleanliness of the city, and often pronounce it to be a most un-African city (a somewhat back-handed compliment). The city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Early buildings such as the Alte Feste (old fort), Christuskirche and Tintenpalast (the parliament buildings) are of particular historical interest. In a wonderful display of irony, the Alte Feste Fort, once the bastion of German colonialism, now houses the National Museum which places particular emphasis on the freedom struggle and Namibian independence.

Windhoek has had several names, many inspired by the hot water springs found in the area, the earliest of which were the Damara /Ais //Gams (/ indicates a click in Nama spelling) which means firewater and the Herero Otjimuise or place of steam. The area was also called Queen Adelaide's Baths for a (mercifully) brief time. Several opinions are offered for the origin of the present name, the most popular of these is that sometime before 1840 Jonker Afrikaner, a Nama leader, named the area Winterhoek, after the farm in South Africa where he was born. Windhoek, or windy corner, is a corruption of this name.

During the day the city centre has a European cafe culture, German cuisine dominates, but Namibian influence can be found in the quantity, and quality, of meat on offer (vegetarians be warned, Namibia is carnivorous country). Nightlife in the city centre is limited to a few restaurants and the occasional night club. Rather strangely most of the nightlife happens outside of the city centre in the suburbs and township areas. During South African occupation the city was divided into three areas: the central suburbs for the whites, Khomasdal for the coloureds and Katutura for the blacks. Katutura and Khomasdal have a vibrant nightlife and over the weekends the partying is non-stop. For the uninitiated visiting one of these disadvantaged areas can be extremely daunting (and unsafe), but with a little local guidance you could be in for the time of your life.

Most importantly Windhoek is home to Namibia's brewing industry, and for the less active Windhoek is a great place to wile away the time while sipping (or gulping) a cold beer.

There are plenty of places to stay both in and around the city, these range from backpacker hostels, through bed and breakfasts and guest houses to luxury hotels and lodges. For more information on where to stay visit our Windhoek Accommodation section.

Caving Trip

A day trip to Arnhem caves in the Kalahari Desert

Game Extravaganza

Visit game farms and view big cats and other game species of Namibia

Windhoek Township Tour

Learn about the pre-independence apartheid history of Windhoek